Sheet material feeding device



April 13, 1965 H. RosENTHAL SHEET MATERIAL FEEDING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 16, 1962 y JBYQYWXM L- April 13, 1965 H. RosENTHAL SHEET MATERIAL FEEDING DEVICE Filed Feb. 16, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet .2,

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 16. 1962 www.

INVENTOR.

senfaf April 13, 1965 H. RosENTHAL SHEET MATERIAL FEEDING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 16, 1962 INVENTOR.

53 l H5: nmmumf 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 @E ma@ INVENTOR.

H. ROSENTHAL SHEET MATERIAL FEEDING DEVICE April 13, 1965 Filed Feb. 16, 1962 United States Patent O 3,177,748 SHEET MATERIAL FEEDiNG DEVICE` Harry Rosenthal, 3825 Greenwood, Skokie, lll. Filed Feb. 16, 1962, Ser. No. 173,737 13 Claims. (Cl. 83-171) p This invention relates generally to sheet material cutting devices and in particular to an automatic sheet material cutting `machine adapted to cut delicate and extremely pliable plastic lm in varying lengths and to feed the same onto a Wrapping table. A manual device for dispensing such sheet material is described and claimed in applicants copending application Serial No. 173,738, filed February 16, 1962, now Patent No. 3,131,278, issued April 28, 1964.

In recent years improved plastic wrapping materials have been developed with qualities superior to conventional paper material previously in Widespread use. vBecause such materials may be transparent they have the advantage that the material Wrapped can be easily identiiied, and also that the wrapped package has an attractive appearance. Improvements in methods of manufacturing such plastic materials have made them competitive from a cost standpoint with the equivalent paper material. Therefore, it has become very important to provide a machine which willV automatically handle these new plastic materials in the Wrapping departments of stores, laundries, etc.

In the prior art, pushbutton machines have been provided to automatically perform the previous manual operations of pulling paper Wrapping material from a roll onto a Wrapping table, measuring the amount of wrapping paper drawn, and cutting olf the requisite length of paper. Reference is made to United States Patent No. 2,668,705, issued February 9, 1954 to applicant. In the self-feeding mechanisms of such machines the Wrapping paper is fed from the rear of the wrapping table and the rigidity or stiffness of the paper is relied upon to push the paper out across the table surface into position for the cutting and wrapping operations. Such prior art machines, however, are unsuitable for handling web-like material such as polyethylene Wrap now preferred for Wrapping bundles and packages because such material is commonly much more pliable and limp than wrapping paper and therefore does not have sufficient stiffness to be self-feeding. i

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved automatic feeding and cutting machine which `will handle sheet material of a pliable, delicate or lmsy nature such as plastic wrapping film.

A further object is to provide an automatic cutting machine for Web-like material which is simple and inexpensive in construction, and safe and reliable in operation.

Another object is to provide an improved machine of the` aforesaid character which will feed extremely pliable sheet material from a roll onto a wrapping table and cut p the material to a desired length, and which may be controlled by a pushbutton system to permit selection of various lengths as desired by the operator. A feature of this invention is the provision of a feedingmachine which includes a continuous conveyor belt which supports the plasticmaterial and serves both as africtional feeding surface and a wrapping table surface.

Another feature is the provision of `a feeding andeutting machine including an electrically heated thermal knife `which will accurately sever plastic material fed by a `conveyor belt without` injuring the conveyor belt or endangering the operator. l p

The machine includes a tensioning flipper bar which coacts with a clamping bar to stretch the section of the iilm to be severed, and to lift it above the surface of `the conveyor belt during the severing operation.

ICC

A still further feature of the invention is theprovision of an automatic feeding and cutting machine including a simple linkage for positive and simultaneous cooperation of the foregoing feeding, lifting and cutting features and adapted to be actuated by the electric motor drive mechanism, which may be controlled by aptimer drive actuated by pushbuttons.

Referring now to the drawings: i i

FIG. l is a perspective view of the machine lof the invention as used with associated equipment; p

FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevation of a portion of the machine of FIG.` l, with the feed roller in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a portion thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a portionthereof `with a cover panel removed; l f Y l l FIG. 5 is a sectional side elevation but of an expanded portion thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a timer mechanism and associated controls usedin connection with the invention. n

Briefly, the invention includes a conveyor which friotionally draws forth a sheet of Web-like material, such as polyethylene lm, from a storage roll to a Work area. A timer mechanism associated with the invention controls the amount of material fed by the conveyor. When the preselected length is reached, a set of camactuated linkages is activated to cause various elements to clamp the material against the conveyor at one point and raise the material off the conveyor at another point bringing the material into contact with a heated Wire which acts asa cutting device. The severed portion of the material is then ready for use While the lead end of thefunsevered `similar tarro, 2

p portion of the material is prevented from tangling by a sweeping element which reestablishes frictional engagement between the conveyor and the material just after cutting occurs.

Referring `-in more detail` to the `accompanying drawings, FIG. l illustrates a pushbutton controlled sheet material feeding machine 12 in accordance with the invention. Since one of the primary purposes of the inventionis to accomplish with pliable plastic wrapping material thecorresponding functions which areperformed by the aforesaid paper feeding machines, particularly those of the sheet material feeding apparatus disclosed `in Patent No. 2,668,705 by the inventor herein, the machine 12 resembles in outward appearance and in operation such`prior paper machine. The machine 12 may be positioned for use near the end of a belt conveyor 13 on which bundles 14 of laundry or the like are placed prior to being wrapped. The machine 12 has a flat wrapping table 15 which is substantially on the same level as conveyor 13. Most of the surface of the table is covered by the upper portion of an endless convey-or belt 17 which travelslfrom under a guard or` cover 18 at the rear of the table and enters the table at the front through a slotted portion 19. A severing mechanism, described` subsequently in detail, is concealed Within guard 18, and polyethylene or `other table 16 by means of the conveyor belt 17; i i

Conveyor belt 17 is made of a material to which `film 44 will adhere sufficiently to permit the belt to drawthe film from its supply roll 46 `(FIG. 5). The adherence of film 44" to belt 17, however, .must not be so great aspto significantly hinder the operator of the machine as he wraps the ilmaround bundles`14 on table` 16. Adherence caused `by static electricity is an excellent solution to `this problem. Various materials have been foundtq be satisfactory for the composition of conveyor belt 17.` These include mylar coated asbestos, rubber-,silicon compositions, and nylon covered canvas` or rubber. It is `desirable air/maa la that the surface of the belt be substantially heat resistant for longer life.

The operator controls the amount of film which is to be fed and severed by means of pushbuttons 22 located near Ythe right front edge of the wrapping table 16. ln order to enable the operatorV to gauge accurately the amount of plastic which is required, there is provided near the conveyor 13 a standard 24 on which are mounted various indicies 26 in vertically spaced relation. The indicies 26 and the buttons 22 have various colors coded to the color of the buttons to aid the operator in selecting the proper button.

As bundles of various heights come down the conveyor 13, their height in relation to the indicies 26 indicates to the operator the particular colored button he should press. The machine thereupon feeds the appropriate amount of plastic onto the wrapping table 16 and fcounter 37, a manual feed switch 39 and a manual cut switch 41. A removable panel 32 is provided behind which are disposed most of the operative mechanisms of the machine. With panel 32 removed, as in FIG. 4, the power drive and control mechanisms are shown supported i by the vertical wall or frame plate 34. These mechanisms include relay panel 33, timer 36 and two electric motors l38 land 40. The motor 40 drives a feed roller (42 in ,.FIG. 2) through a gear mechanism 43 with the conveyor belt 17 being powered by the feed roller to draw the plastic lm 44. The ytimer 36 includes a drive wheel 203 coupled to the mechanism 43.

As shown in FIG. 5, the axis of the lm `supply roll Y. 46 rests on support members 47 provided inside the frame plates 34 and 35. Film 44 is passed around stationary idler 48, movable idler 49, and stationary idler 50 l to feed roller 42. Movable idler 49 is mounted on an end of arm 51 which is pivotal about bearing 52 to the position indicated in dotted lines. The opposite end of arm 51 is biased by spring 53. This arrangement prevents sudden shocks caused during starting of the feed drive v from breaking the frictional contact between lm 44 and belt 17. As tension is applied to film 44, arm 51 will pivot to provide slack, and will return to its original position, after the initial shock is relieved, due to the bias of spring 53. A drag apron 4S weighted at its free end 45a, frictionally engages supply roll 46 to prevent freewheeling thereof.

A hold-down roller 54 presses the plastic film web 44 against the top of the feed roller 42. This roller 54 is rotatably mounted ona shaft 55 which is xed at its ends to a pair of pivotally mounted arms 56. A handle bar 57 ris supported by the free end of arms 56 and spans the distance therebetween and tending to Weigh down the roller 54, and also providing a convenient means for raising roller`54 so that the end of a plastic web such as 44 may be inserted between rollers 42 and 54. The timer unit 36 (FIG. 6) cooperates with pushbuttons 22 to regulate the amount of plastic material which is fed by the lfeed roller 42. Timer unit 36 may be of any workable construction. However, .a preferred embodiment is schematically shown in FIG. 6. A timer wheel 201 is supported on a pivoted frame 202 for movement'into and out of engagement with driving wheel 203 (FIG. 4) which rotates intrned relation with the roller 42 that feeds the plastic material. v A solenoid 204 is provided for rocking ciated therewith. As both contacts controlled by that particular relay are pulled in, a self-holding circuit for the relay is closed, and an energization circuit for feed relay 208` is also closed. As contact 20th: associated with relay 208 is pulled in, the energization circuit for the feed motor 40 is closed causing the feed to begin. At the saine time, solenoid 204 is energized causing timer wheel 231 to engage friction roller 203 which begins the turning of cams 206 mounted on the same shaft with the timer wheel. Associated wit-h each cam 206 is an individual timer switch 207g, the opening of which will tie-energize the associated self-holding circuitgfor relays 207. Timer cams 206 are preset to provide varying time lengths before the opening of their associated `switches 207m Upon de-energization of relays 207, relay 203 will be de-energized reopening switch 203@ and causing thefeed motor 40 to stop.y As a result the setting of cams 20o' determine the number of revolutions of the feed motor 40, and hence the length of plastic material which is fed out on conveyor 17.

The timer knife cam 211 is also provided on the same shaft as the timer wheel 201. Cam 211 operates arknife switch 212. Rotation of cam 211 depresses switch 212 causing energization of conditioning relay 213. As the switch associated with relay 213 is pulled in, a self-holding circuit is closed, as is a contact in the energizing circuit for the knife hold relay 214. This relay 214 however, will not be energized until cam 211 completes a full revolution and permits switch 212 to return to the position shown in FIG. 6. Upon energization of knife hold relay 214, knife relay 216 becomes energized thereby closing the knife motor circuit and beginning the cutting cycle. A cycle cam 217 is driven by knife motor 233 and operates a cycle switch 21S so that uponV a full rotation of cam 217, switch 213 will open (ie-energizing conditioning reiay 213, knife hold relay 214, and consequently knife vrelay 216 causing knife motor 233 to stop. The momentum of the motor 38 is just sufficient to carry the rise on the cam 217 past the limit switch 218 permitting this switch to closeV again in readiness for the next operation of the machine. Switches 41 and 39 are provided on the control panel with associated connections to permit manual operation of the cutting cycle and the feed cycle separately if so desired. The counter 37 is connected in the circuit to record the number of operations performed.

As knife motor 33 is energized, cut wire relay 223 is also energized closing contact 224 so that current will ow through the Nichrorne wire 111 to heat the wire for cutting purposes. Circuit breakers 230 and 231 are connected in series with motor 33 and wire 111 respectively, and are housed along with relay 223 in box 236 (FIG. 4). A restoring spring on the timer wheel returns all the timer cams to their home positions when timer Wheel 201 is disengaged from its driving roller 203.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, there is shown the details of the plastic sheet material severing mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention. The severing mechanism is actuated by motor 38 mounted vertically on the frame plate 34. Power from motor 38 is transmitted by a gear train, enclosed in a gear box housing 39 associated with the motor, so as to rotatably drive a cam drive shaft 61 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2. Cam drive shaft 61 is supported by bearing assemblies, not shown, mounted on the frame plates 34 and 35 so as to extend transversely across the machine 12. Inside machine 12 are located a pair of wheels or circular cams 63 and 64 which are mounted off-center on shaft 61 and affixed thereto by keys 66 so as to rotate eccentrically therewith. Each cam 63, 64 has an external ring 67, 6? mounted thereon which forms a cam follower.

Rings 67, 68 operating with cams 63, 64 actuate the floating or dancing bars 71 and 72. Bars '71 and '72 may be in'the form of elongated hollow rectangular tubes and have bearing plates 73 and 74 respectivelyY mounted on the upper surfaces thereof by means of mounting bolts 75 and 76. Bearing plates 73 and 74 are urged into tangential contact with the lower perphery of cam followers 67 and 63 by means of a pair of tension springs 77 and 7S connected between the ends of bearing plates 73,`

74 and a pair of springhangers 79 bolted to` the frame plates 34 and 35. An angle iron cross piece 81 is axed at the ends thereof to bars 72 and 71 by means of bolts 75 and thus spans the machine 12 in order to join the bars together.

The motion imparted by cams 63 and 64 to bars 71 and 72 is utilized to drive two sets of linkages. The linkage at the forward end of bars 71, 72 includes an angle piece S2, mounted to bar 72 by a bolt 83, for pivotally connecting bar 72 to a riser bar 84 by means of a bearing member 36 thrcadably received on the lower end of riser bar 84. Riser bar 34 is mounted for vertical sliding movement by means of a pair of bearings 87 received in holes of a cross member 8S of the machine 12. Cross member 88 is supported at its ends by means of brackets 89 bolted to frame plates 34 and 35. The upper end of riser bars 84, 85 are reduced in diameter to form shoulders 91 and are provided with external threads 92. An elongated hold-down bar 94, provided with holes near the ends thereof, is received on the reduced upper ends of riser bars S4 and 85 so that it rests on shoulders 91, the hold-down bar being fastened to riser bars 84 by flange nuts 93. Hold-down bar 94 thus spans the endless belt 17 and moves vertically with the forward end of the bar 72. `A clamping member 96 preferably formed of sponge rubber, is aiiixed to the underside of hold-down bar 94 for engaging and pressing the plastic sheet material 44 against the endless belt 17 and table surface 16 when the hold-down bar is in its lowest position.

Hold-down bar 94 also supports a pair of brackets 101 and 102 which are mounted to the rear side of the holddown bar by means of bolts 103 and which have arm portions 101@ and 102@ respectively extending rearwardly therefrom; The outer ends of arm portions 101a, 1020i are provided with holes which receive mounting collars 106 and 107 respectively, which collars are adapted to hold a Nichrome severing wire 111 therebetween. Wire 111 is held under tension by means of a compression spring 112 mounted between the outer flanged end of collar 106 and arm portion 101:1. A cutoff switch 113 is also carried by hold-down bar 94 adjacent the outer side of bracket 101. Switch 113 includes an actuating stem 115 which is adjustably spaced from a flexible arm 117 attached at one end to switch 113 and at its other end to collar 106. When cut wire relay 216 is energized as previously described with respect to FIG. 5, wire 111 will heat and as it heats, expand. When wire 111 has expanded sufficiently, spring 112 will move exible arm 117 to depress actuating ste-m 115 of switch 113. This will open the energizing circuit for relay 223 thereby causing switch 224 to open to allow the wire `to cool before the next cutting operation. Thus, the wire is prevented from overheating, giving it a longer service life. A safety switch 114 is also provided in the energizing circuit for relay 223. This switch is adapted to be opened when guard 18 is raised, to cause` wire 111 to de-energize;

Referring now to the linkage connected to bars 71, 72 on the rear side of cam wheels 63 and 64, another pair of angle pieces 121 are mounted on the bearing plates 73, 74 by means of bolts 76. In this linkage, pieces 121 pivotally support the lower end of adjustable linking members 122. The upper end of members 122 are pivotally connected to the rearward end of a pair offlipper arms 123 and 124. Arms 123, 124 are in turn pivotally mounted by bolts 125 received in bearings 126 supported in spacer blocks 127. Blocks 127 are mounted by means of bolts 128 to a pair of side plates 129 and 131 supported respectively on the upper edges of frame plates 34 and 35. A ipper bar 133 is received in holes provided in the forward ends of flipper arms 123, 124, and spans the endless belt 17 above the surface thereof. Hence, it will be seen that downward motion of the dancing bar 72 by actionof the `cams63 and 64 is effective to pivot the arms 123, 124 so as to raise the ipper bar 133. l

t The cam wheels 63 and 64 also drive a third linkage adapted to provide a sweeping action after the plastic lm 44 is severed by the wire 111. One set of this linkage is shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 and it is to be understood that a duplicate structure not shown is driven by cam 63. The sweeping linkage includes a cam follower arm 141 pivotally mounted to the side plate 35 by means of a bolt 142 so as to ride tangentially against the upper periphery of cam follower 68. The upper end of arm 141 is pivotally connected to a link member 143 which in turn is pivotally connected to an L-shaped rocker member 144. The vertex portion of rocker member 144 is provided with a hole and beati-ng for mounting member 144 on drive `shaft 61, with drive shaft 61 rotating freely therein. The vertical extension portion 144b of rocker member 144 has welded thereto a rod 146 which extends slightly above the upper edge of the side plate 131. A collar 147, having a bore which is oversized with respect to the diameter of rod 146, is slidably received` on rod 146. Collar 147 has a cam follower rod 148 extending from the side thereof adjacent plate 129, and a sweeping rod 151 is mounted on the opposite side of collar 147 to extend across the endless belt 17. A plurality of rubber grommets 152 are spaced across the sweeping bar 151, as best seen in FIG. 3.

The structure of the sweeping linkage thus yfar described functions upon rotation of cam wheel 64 to produce a pivotal motion of cam follower arm 141 which is translated into a rocking motion of rocker member 144 and hence a back and forth movement of rod 146. This motion thus provides the horizontal vectors acting on sweeping bar 151. The vertical components of the motion of the sweeping bar are produced by cam members mounted on side plates 129, 131. An inclined cam 153 is mounted at the forward end of the side plate 131`in a fixed position and, when cam follower rod 148 contacts cam 153 as rod 146 is moving forward, the sweeping bar 151` is raised in accordance with the upper surface of cam 153. A pivoted, somewhat diamond shaped cam 154 is also mounted on plate 131 and is spring biased by a tension spring 156 so that the lower end of cam 154 abuts the upper surface of cam 153, but may be pivoted free thereof by movement of cam :follower 148 against the under surface of cam 154 during forward motion of rod 146. As the rod 146 completes its forward movement and starts backwards, the follower 148 rides on the upper surface 154a of the cam 154 until it reaches the back tip 154b of this cam, and the sweeping bar then drops along rod 146 and strikes the upper surface of the film, back ofthe cut. The grommets provide frictional engagement with the film and as the sweeper bar again moves forward this straightens the cut end of the film along the endless belt.

IIn operation, the above described feeding and severing mechanisms function to advance the desired amount of plastic film 44 onto the table 16 in front of the operator, and then to cut it in accordance with the length selected by operating the appropriate pushbutton. To set up the machine 12 for operation, the plastic web 44 is drawn by hand over the feed roller 42, under hold-down roller 54, forward over theipiper bar 133 and under sweeping bar 151. The plastic material 44 is then ready to be pulled from the supply roll 46 by the endless belt 17, the friction of the plastic film 44 against the bel-t 17 plus the electrostatic adherence therebetween being suiiicient to provent slippage of the plastic material with respect to the belt 17. When the appropriate one of pushbuttons 22 is actuated to feed the material forward, the adherence of the iilm 44 to belt 17 at the pontion ahead of flipper bar 133 draws the leading edge of the film toward the operator. During the feeding portion of the cycle, the various elements of the severing mechanism are in the positions shown in FIG. 2.

-At the appropriate time, the feeding of the plastic web 44 is arrested, andY the timer unit 36 then energizes motor 3S, causing cam wheels 63, 64 to rotate eccentrically andV clockwise from their positions as shown in PEG. 2. Due to the relationship between the force exerted by tension springs 77 and 718, as well as the moment arms existing between the tangential contact point of the cam wheels against bars 712, 73 and the pivot links S2 and 121, the forward end of bar 72 will be the rst portion thereof to drop. The forward end of bar 7 2 is depressed to a point where the clamping member 9o is in rm engagement with the plas-tic web 44, pressing it against the belt l"722 and tab-le 16. -At this point, cam wheel 64 will have rot-ated through less than 180 from its position in FIG. 2. The remaining portion of its first 180 of rotation is utilized to depress the rear end of bar 7,2, with the bar now pivoting from the connection of angle piece 32 to the member' Hence, link member 122 is pulled downward, causing the flipper arms 123, 124 to rapidly pivot upwards to the position .shown in FIG. S.

`In the meantime, e.g., during this iirst 180 of rotation of the cams 63, 64, the cam follower arm 141 of the sweeper mechanism will have dropped to the position shown in FIG. 5. This motion causes the sweeper rod 146 to move backward. carrying with it the sweeper bar 11511 along the upper surface of cam 154 to the point 154i) atthe rear edge thereof. lf the action is mentally arrested at this point, it will be seen that, as in FIG. 5, the plastic film 44 has now been drawn upwards by flipper bar 11313 away from the surface of belt 17 until it is in taut :Contact with the severing wire 1111. As mentioned before, energization of motor 38 causes current to llow through wire 1,11, causing it to heat. The heat of the wire Vtends to mel-t the plast-ic, and since it is under tension from :the flipper bar l133, it instantly severs upon contact with the wire.

'Continuing with the remainder of the severing cycle, the last 180 of cam rotation allows the springs 77, 78 to raise bars 71, 72 to their original position wherein the severing wire 1111 and hold-down bar 94 are again raised rfree of belt 17 and plastic material 44, and the flipper arms 123, 124 are returned to their raised horizontal positions. .At the instant that the material 44 is severed, the cam followers 148 drop off the rear edge 151th of the team 15-4, allowing the collars 147 to slide down rods 146 so that the rubber grommets 152 catch the severed edge of plastic web 44 and then come to rest on endless belt 17. This catching action in the cycle is important since polyethylene or other plastic lm preferred for wrapping is extremely pliable, and tends to fly back and erumple up after it is severed. yIf not caught in time, it jams either in the rollers or tangles and bunches up to cause Y rfaulty operation. However, this is prevented by the grommets 1152 engaging the loose forward end of the plastic wel) after the piece to be used for Wrap-ping has been severed. When the plastic has been so engaged, the last 180 of rotation of the cams 6G, 64 causes the follower arm 141 to be pivoted upwards, causing rod 146 to move forward, carrying with it the sweeper bar 151 and grommets 152. The grommets thus pull the plastic film along the surface of belt 17, in effect sweeping it forward to provide a clean, smooth forward edge and insuring that the film is in good contact with the belt so that it is drawn forward in the nent cycle. The position of the various elements after 270 of cam rotation is indicated in FlG. 2 by dot-ted lines. lDuring the last few degrees of rotation of cams dBi-64, the fixed cam 153 picks up cam follower 148 on collar 147' and causes the collar to slide up the rod 146 lifting cams 154 as it passes thereunder. :Cam 154 then snaps back against cam 1ST, and yat this point the rotation of the cam wheels 63-64 ceases so that cam 1154 holds the sweeper bar in position against its forward slope, raised above the surface of the film and ready for the next cycle.

It may be seen, therefore, that the invention provides an improved pushbutton controlling feeding and cutting machine which is capable of handling extremely pliable plastic wrapping material, and which is reliable of operation and low in cost.

I claim:

1. A machine for automatically feeding and cutting webslike material including in combination; conveyor means adapted to support and draw the material, clamping means movable to engage said conveyor means and clamp the material thereagainst, lifting means located at a given distance from said clamping means and engaging the material, said lifting means being movable to raise the material off said conveyor means, cutting means located between said clamping means and said lifting means, said cutting means being positioned to engage the material to cut the same when said clamping means is in engagement with the material and said lifting means has moved to raise the material off said conveyor means, and actuating means for moving said clamping means and said lifting means, so that said clamping means will engage the material to clamp the material while said lifting means raises the material into engagement with said cutting means.

2. A machine for automatically feeding andcutting Web-like material, including in combination; conveyor means adapted to supportand draw the material, clamping means movable to engage said conveyor means and clamp the material thereagainst, lifting means located at a given distance from said clamping means and engaging the material to raise the same off said conveyormeans, an electrically heated cutting wire positioned to engage the material to cut the same when said lifting means has moved to raise the material oif said conveyor means, an energizing circuit coupled to said cutting wire, switch means operable to open said energizing circuit, means responsive to a given expansion of said wi-re due to heating to actuate said switch means to de-energize said cutting wire, and actuating means for said clamping means, said lifting means and said energizing circuit to cause the same to operate simultaneously so that said clamping means engages the material and clamps the same as said lifting means raises the material into engagement with said cutting means and said cutting wire is energized to cut the material.

3. A machine for automatically feeding and cutting web-like material including in combination, conveyor means adapted to support and draw the material, clamping means movable to engage said conveyor means and clamp the material thereagainst, lifting means located at a given distance from said clamping means and engaging the material, said lifting means being movable to raise the material off said conveyor means, an electrically heated cutting wire positioned to engage the material to cut same when said clamping means is in engagement with the material and said lifting means has moved to raise the material off said conveyor means, an electric. supply circuit coupled to said wire including a switch having an actuating stem thereon displaceable to operate said switch, said switch being operable to an open condition to break said supply circuit, an actuating arm mechanically coupled to an end of said Wire and to said actuating stem and displaceable by expansion of said wire due to heating to movesaid actuating stern and cause said switch to open, whereby said wire will be de-energized and allowed to cool, and actuating means for moving said clamping means and said lifting means and for energizing said supply circuit so that said clamping means will engage the material to clamp the material while said lifting means raises the material into engagement with said cutting means and said supply circuit energizes said cutting wire to heat the same and cut the material. Y

4. A machine for automatically feeding and cutting `web-like material, including in combination; conveyor means adapted to support and draw the material, clamping means movable to engage said conveyor means and the materiaLsaid lifting means` being movable to raise `the, material off said conveyor means, cutting means located'between said clamping means and said lifting means,

,said cutting means being positioned to engage the material to cut the `same when said clamping means is in engagement with the material andsaidlifting means has moved to raise the material off said conveyor means, first cam actuated linkage means coupled to said clamping means to impart motion thereto, second cam actuated linkage means coupled to said lifting means to impart motion thereto, so that said clamping means will engage the material to clamp theV material, While said lifting means raises thematerial into engagement with said cutting means to cut the material.

5.`A machine for automatically feeding and cutting Web-like material including incombination, a conveyor `beltadapted to support the material, said belt having a frictional surface for drawing the material thereon, clamping means movable toward said belt to clamp the material thereagainst, lifting means spaced along said belt from said clamping means and having a portion engaging the i when `said clamping means is in engagement with the material and said lifting means has moved to raise the t material off said belt, a motor driven cam member, cam

follower means engaging said cam member, first linkage means coupling said cam follower means to said clamping means to impart motionthereto, second linkage means i coupling said cam follower means to said lifting means `to impart `motion thereto, sweep means engageable with said belt to sweep the free end of the material into contact with said belt to re-establish frictional engagement therebetween, third linkage means `coupling said cam follower means to said sweep means to impart motion thereto, so

that said clamping means will engage and clamp the material while said lifting means raises the material into engagement with said severing means `to sever the material, ,i and said sweep means straightens the Vmaterial on said belt after` the severing operation.

like material including in combination, a conveyor belt 1 adapted to support the material, said belt having a frictional surface for drawing `the material thereon, a clamping bar movable to engage said material on said belt and clamp the material thereagainst, a lifting bar spaced along said belt from said clamping bar and engaging the matev rial on the under side thereof, said lifting bar being movable` to raise thematerial off said belt, an electrically conducting cutting wire located between said clamping` bar and said lifting bar, said lifting barmoving the material into engagement with said cutting wire when said clamping bar is in engagement with the material, means for energizing said cutting wire to severe the material when in engagement therewith, a motor driven cam member, a cam follower engaging said `cam member, first linkage means coupling said cam followertto said clamping bar to impart motion thereto, second linkage means couplingsaid cam follower to said lifting bar to impart `motion thereto, a sweeping rodhaving a plurality ofrubber t grommets `for engagement with `said belt to sweep thefree end of `the material into contact with the belt `to'establish frictional engagement therebetween, third linkage means couplingsaid cam follower with saidsweeping rod to impart motion thereto, so that said cainfollower pauses said clamping bar to engage and clamp the material `while said lifting bar raises the material into engagement with said cutting wire to cut the material, and causes said sweeping rod to sweep the material on said `belt after the severing operation.

, 64A machine for automatically feeding and cutting web- 7. A machine for automatically feeding and cutting Weblike material, `including in combination; a conveyorbelt adapted to support the material, said belt having afric- 4tional surface for drawingthe material it supports, a

clamping bar movable to engage said belt and clamp the material thereagainst, a lifting bar located a given distance from said clamping bar and in engaging the material, said lifting barbeing movable to raise the material oli said belt,an electrically conducting cutting wire located between said clamping bar `and said lifting bar, said cutting wire being engageable with the material to cut same when said clamping bar is in engagement with the material and said lifting bar has moved to raise the material off said belt, a motor driven eccentric, a resiliently suspended dancing bar engaging said eccentric, a first rod rotatably fixed to said dancing bar, said first rod being coupled to` said clampingbar to impart motion thereto, a second rod rotatably fixed to `said dancing bar, a lever coupling said second rod to said lifting bar to impart motion thereto, a sweep rod having a plurality of rubber grommets engageable withsaid belt to sweep the free end of the uncut portion of the material back` into contact with said belt to re-establish frictional engagement therebetween, a pivotal member engaging said eccentric, linkage means coupling said pivotal member to said sweeping rod for imparting motion thereto, so that said clamping bar will engage the material to clamp the same while `said lifting bar raises the material into engagement with Asaid cutting wire `to cut the material, and so that said sweeping rod positions the material on said conveyor belt after the cutting operation.

8. A machine for automatically feeding and cutting weblike material, including in combination; a conveyor belt adapted to support the material, said belt having a frictional surface for drawing the material it supports, a clamping bar movable to engage said belt and clamp the material thereagainst, a lifting bar located a given distance from said clamping bar and engaging the material,

said lifting bar being movable to raise the material oi said belt, a pair of mounting portions extending from said clamping bar toward said lifting bar, an electrically heated cutting wire extending between said mounting portions and suspended thereby between said clamping bar andtsaid lifting bar, `said cutting wire` being engageable with the material tofcut` same when said clamping` bar is in engagement with the material and `said lifting bar t has moved to raise the material olf said belt, a pairof motor driven eccentrics, a pair of resiliently suspended danclng bars engaging said eccentrics Land` depressible thereby, a pair of first rods each rotatably fixed to :one

of said dancing bars and having their opposite ends fixed to said clamping bar to impart movement thereto, a pair` of second rods each rotatably fixed at one end `to one Vof said dancing bars, a pair of levers each rotatably fixed atthe opposite ends of said second rods and operable thereby, said levers being fixed to said lifting bar `to impart movement thereto, a'pair oflevers each in engagement with one ofsaid eccentrics and pivotable thereby, a pair of L-sllaped rotatable rocker members each having a third rod extending therefrom, a pair of floating links attached from said levers to said rocker members to transfer motion therebetween, a slidable collar mounted on each of said third rods, each`of said collars having a guide portion extending therefrom, guide means engaging said guide members for restricting motion :of said collars to apredetermined pat-h, a sweeping rod fixed tosaid collars` and havinga plurality of rubber grommets, said sweeping. rod

t being engageable with said `belt to sweep the free end of t theuncut portion of the material back into contact with the belt to re-establish frictional engagement therebetween,

so that said clamping bar will engage the material to clamp i same while said lifting bar raises the mate-rial into engagement with said cutting wire to sever the material, and so that said `rocker members will cause said third rods to nieve, thereby forcing said collars to follow said predeterl l mined path causing said sweeping rod to be actuated to prevent the material from becoming tangled after the cutting operation.

9. A machine for automatically feeding and cutting web-like material, including in combination; a conveyor 1belt adapted to support the material, said belt having a frictional surface for drawing the material it supports, a clamping bar movable to engage said belt and clamp the material thereagainst, a lifting bar located a given distance from said clamping bar and engaging the material, said lifting bar being movable to raise the material off said belt, a pair of mounting portions extending from said clamping bar toward said lifting fbar, an electrically heated cutting wire extending between said mounting portions and suspended thereby between said clamping bar and said lifting bar, said cutting wire being engageable with the material to cut same when said clamping bar is in engagement with the material and said lifting bar has moved to raise the material oif said belt, switch means adapted to open to cause said cutting wire to be de-energized, actuating means for opening said switch means upon a given expansion of said cutting wire due to` heating, a pair of resiliently suspended dancing bars engaging said eccentrics and depressible thereby, a pair of first rods each rotatably xed to one of said 'dancing bars and having their opposite ends fixed to said clamping bar to impart movement thereto, a Vpair of second rods each rotatably fixed at one end to one of said dancing bars, a pair of levers, each rotatably fixed at the opposite ends of said second rods and operable thereby, said levers being fixed to said lifting bar to impart movement thereto, a pair of levers each in engagement with one of said eccentrics and pivotable thereby, a pair of L-shaped rotatable rocker members each having a third rod extending therefrom, a pair of floating links attached from said levers to said rocker members to transfer motion therebetween, a slidable collar mounted on each of said third rods, each of said collars having a' guide portion extending therefrom, guide means engaging said guide members for restricting motion of said collars to a predetermined path, a sweeping rod xed to said collars and having a plurality of rubber grommets, said sweeping rod being engageable with said belt to sweep the free end of the uncut portion of the material back into contact with said belt to re-establish frictional Y engagement therebetween, so that s-aid clamping bar will engage the material to clamp same while said lifting bar raises the material -into engagement with said cutting wire to sever the material, and so -that said rocker members will cause said third rods to move, thereby forcing said collars to follow said predetermined path causing said sweeping rod to be actuated to prevent the material from becoming tangled after the cutting operation.

l0. A machine for automatically feeding and cutting web-like material including in combination, a con-f` means for severing the material, a cam member and driving means therefor, cam follower means engaging said cam member, first'linkage means coupling said cam follower means to said clamping means to cause said clamping means to engage and clamp the material, second linkage means coupling said cam follower means to said lifting means to cause said lifting means to raise the material off said Vbelt into engagement with saidsevering means to sever the material.

ll. A machine for automatically feeding and cutting Vweb-likematerial, including in combination, a conveyor belt adapted to support the material, said belit'having a frictional surface for drawing the material thereon, motor means for causing movement of said conveyor belt and including an energizing circuit, a pushbutton controlled timer mechanism having switch means in said energizing circuit for said motor means operable to stop said motor means when said belt has moved one of a plurality of preset predetermined distances, clamping means movable to engage and clamp` the material against said belt, lifting means spacedV along said belt from said clamping means and engaging the material, said lifting means being movable to raise the material off said belt, means for severing said material located between said clamping means and said lifting means, said severing means being engageable with the inaterial` to sever the same when sai-d clamping means is in engagement with the material and said lifting means has moved to raise the material off said belt, cam means and driving means therefor, cam follower means engaging said cam means,

' first linkage lmeans coupling said cam follo'wer means to said clamping means to impart motion thereto, second linkage means coupling said cam follower means to said lifting means to impart motion thereto, so that the said clamping means will engage the` material to clamp the same while said lifting means raises the material intoengagement with said severing means to sever the material.

l2. A machine for automatically feeding and cutting web-like material, including in combination, a conveyor belt adapted to support the material, said belt having a frictional surface for drawing the kmaterial thereon, motor means for causing movement of said belt, a control system for controlling said motor means including a plurality of circuits, each of said circuits having rst and second switches with said lirst switches having pushbutton operating members, a plurality of adjustable elements for actuating said second switches with said adjustable elements and said second switches being movable with respect to each other in timed relation with the movement of said belt, said adjustable elements having different settings so that said second switches are actuated in a particular sequence as said material is drawn by said belt, said control system causing operation of said belt in response to operation of any one of said first switches and 4causing said belt to-stop in response to actuation of said second switch in the circuit with the actuated one of said first switches, clamping means lmovable to engage and clamp the material against said belt, lifting means spaced along said belt from said clamping means and engaging the material, said lifting means being movable to raise the material off lsaid belt, means for severing the material located between said clamping means and said lifting means, said severing means Ibeing engageable with the material to cut the same when said clamping means is in engagement with the material and said lifting means has moved to raise the material off Vsaid belt, actuating means coupled to said clamping means and to said lifting means to operate the same so that said clamping means will engage the material to clamp the same while said lifting means raises the material into engagement with said severing means to sever the material,

13. A machine for automatically feeding and cutting web-like material, including in combination; a conveyor belt adapted to support the material, said belt having a frictional surface for drawing the material it supports, clamping means movable to engage said belt and clamp the material thereagainst, lifting means located a given distance from said clamping means and engaging the material, said lifting means being movable to raise the material off said belt, cutting means located between said clamping means and said lifting means, said cutting means lbeing engageable with the material to cut same when said `clamping means is in engagement with the material and said lifting means has moved to raise the material'off 1 4 References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,800,178 7/57 Taylor 83--243 5 2,892,500 6/ 59 LeBaron et al 83--243 2,957,065 10/60 Bundegaard et al 219--19 3,017,487 1/62 Priestly 219-19 WILLAM W. DY ER, JR., Primary Examiner.

10 HUNTER C. BOURNE, JR., Examiner. 

1. A MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY FEEDING AND CUTTING WEB-LIKE MATERIAL INCLUDING IN COMBINATION; CONVEYOR MEANS ADAPTED TO SUPPORT AND DRAW THE MATERIAL, CLAMPING MEANS MOVABLE TO ENGAGE SAID CONVEYOR MEANS AND CLAMP THE MATERIAL THEREAGAINST, LIFTING MEANS LOCATED AT A GIVEN DISTANCE FROM SAID CLAMPING MEAND AND ENGAGING THE MATERIAL, SAID LIFTING MEANS BEING MOVABLE TO RAISE THE MATERIAL OFF SAIOD CONVEYOR MEANS, CUTTING MEANS LOCATED BETWEEN SAID CLAMPING MEANS AND SAID LIFTING MEANS, SAID CUTTING MEANS BEING POSITIONED TO ENGAGE THE MATERIAL TO CUT THE SAME WHEN SAID CLAMPING MEANS IS IN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE MATERIAL OFF SAID CONVEYOR MEANS, AND MOVED TO RAISE THE MATERIAL OFF SAID CONVEYOR MEANS, AND ACTUATING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID CLAMPING MEANS AND SAID LIFTING MEANS, SO THAT SAID CLAMPING MEANS WILL ENGAGE THE MATERIAL TO CLAMP THE MATERIAL WHILE LIFTING MEANS RAISES THE MATERIAL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CUTTING MEANS. 